Engagement rings? To buy at home or abroad??

kensey · 04-01-2012 04:41PM #1

Hi everyone,

So I didn't think I'd be posting in the wedding, marriage and c.p. forum but here goes!
I'm planning on asking my girlfriend to marry me at the end of January. I've spoken to her boss and organised some days off and plan on whisking her away on a surprise weekend break to Paris. She will be under the impression that it's a romantic city break for her birthday. It is there where I intend to pop the question. We've spoken about getting married before and she has hinted that she would like to choose the ring. I'm happy about this and plan on proposing with a cheap ring and then go shopping together and getting her the perfect engagement ring. Has anyone any experience of buying a ring in Paris? Is it good value or is it expensive because of being the city of love? The more information I can get on this the better, or if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations I'm all ears.
Thanks for all comments/feedback in advance!

Sleepy · 04-01-2012 04:46PM

Can't help on Paris specifically but would suggest a token ring could be a good idea. You can get some lovely vintage rings with semi-precious stones such as topaz, garnets etc. for under €30/40 that'd give you something much nicer to propose with than some tacky Elizabeth Duke crap from Argos

LisaLee · 04-01-2012 07:03PM

+1 with the token ring idea. What my fiance did was propose with the actual ring, but he had it designed with a jeweller that said he would exchange the ring for another design if it wasn't to my taste.

The one thing about buying a ring abroad is that you have to know your stuff about the 4Cs etc but think longterm about it. If there is an issue with the ring, will you need to post the ring back to France to get it dealt with? At least if you buy the ring in Ireland, there is more of a comeback if anything was to go wrong.

If you do buy the ring in France, then make sure to get the ring independently valued and look to get it insured in Ireland.

Best of luck with the proposal!

MrTsSnickers · 05-01-2012 03:00AM

If it were me, I'd buy the ring at home. Give the business to your local community.

kensey · 05-01-2012 11:40AM

MrTsSnickers wrote: »

If it were me, I'd buy the ring at home. Give the business to your local community.

That would be ideal but i can't help but wonder about the value aspect abroad or have prices at home become more reasonable? I know there's peace of mind and aftersales reassurance when buying in Ireland, this is important but where would you get more rock for your money or the best quality? I'm going to do alot of research before we buy.

Ps - I'm grateful for everyone's input on this and thanks to those who have posted so far

Sleepy · 05-01-2012 12:07PM

Most rock for your money will always be had buying a second hand ring.

Diamonds are only expensive because De Boers and the industry around them say they're expensive, not because of any real rarity.

quinnie123ie · 06-01-2012 02:44PM

I know a little place in Uganda where you can get a lovely big diamond for next to nothing... you just need to negotiate with a 14yrs old warlord with an AK-47

Joking aside, there are a couple of really good sites online with some reasonable prices too... there is a guy in town (Dublin), i cant remember his details, but his site has around 100 or more rings, with RRP and then his price, allot with around 40 - 50% off.. Now i know this is most likely a ploy to get you to buy from him, but some of the rings he has are really nice too...

Or you could just buy a cubic zircona and spend the money on yourself :P

Narsil · 06-01-2012 03:10PM

Just got engaged at Xmas and we bought our ring from the US over the internet(very carefully). We saved at least €2000!

Made email contact with a certain jewellers in Antwerp(initials are PH-I think you all know who I mean) and he was a horrible b*llox! He replied after 2 weeks but by then we had bought from the US so then he proceeded to tell me i was 'ill informed' and that no 'serious people buy blind':mad:. Needless to say I was raging that he was being so rude and I'm glad I didnt waste any money visiting Antwerp!

The US jewellers were so helpful and professional and our ring is platinum solitaire .91ct, F, SI1(totally eyeclean) and came with a full GIA certificate and the sparkle is amazing! It was also FedEx-ed to us in 2 days with money back guarantee!

Any further details please feel free to PM me:)

fergald24 · 06-01-2012 03:16PM

I bought an engagement ring in Antwerp a couple of years ago, it does involve alot of research but you can get value if you know what you are doing and are willing to spend the time required.

I have since bought Diamonds on Blue Nile (the US website) and thought I got a great price on certified diamonds. I have delivered to the US which is cheaper than having it delivered to Ireland (VAT and Customs)

waylander2002 · 22-01-2012 11:17PM

ha I bought my fiancees ring from amazon america, for the same diamond here it would have been 3x price, I was very impressed and received cert and everything and it was a lovely sized diamond, I paid 1000, to get a similar diamond here was well over 2000

sunnie · 08-07-2012 02:19PM

Hi.
Im wondering if anyone can help me. Im planning to buy my girlfriend an engagement ring but i was planning on going to mayb antwerp for it as i have heard good feedback on buying th ring overseas. Is it a good idea or not? has anyone bought their ring abroad and was it value for money as money is tight.

Help muchly appriciated please.

Engagement rings? To buy at home or abroad??

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